HERITAGE Lottery has awarded £49,200 towards a project which will promote Bridgwater's historic buildings and help various community groups in the town.

The money will be used to fund a scheme called The Building of Bridgwater and will include raising the profile and history of the town.

Blake Museum, Somerset Brick and Tile Museum, Bridgwater and District Civic Society, Bridgwater Library, Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset Film and Video (The Engine Room) and Bridgwater Arts Centre are all working together on the project.

Bridgwater Arts Centre, which celebrates its 60th anniversary next year, is to use its cash for a new video and sound feature.

Chairman Pat Morley,said: "Our plan is to have a site-specific video and sound installation called One Room, Many Memories, in the 18th Century Kelting Room. This has received an enthusiastic response and encouraged us to form partnerships with the town's key heritage organisations. They have all come forward with a range of projects all of which combine arts and heritage."

Together the seven groups will organise a series of walks, talks, exhibitions and activities throughout the rest of the year as part of the scheme.

The Civic Society has plans to install information plaques on sites around the town to complement the already established Town Trail.

Mrs Morley added: "By the end of this year we hope to involve and entertain the local community, raising awareness of the town's social, industrial and cultural history focusing on buildings, monuments and structures. Everyone involved in this bid is grateful for the opportunities afforded by the grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund."